$100,000 for local community groups

More than a hundred thousand dollars has been been distributed to Western Bay community groups in the latest round of grants from BayTrust.

This week, the Foundation will distribute $101,000 to 14 local recipients.

Trust manager Bruce Cronin said efforts to help victims and communities deal with the effects of crime were to the fore, and $10,000 was granted to the Tauranga Moana Restorative Justice Trust.

Manager John Delaney said the BayTrust funding was "invaluable'' as it was a voluntary organisation that offered a free service.

He said the grant would help the expansion of its community engagement programme through the participation of trained community representatives in the restorative justice process.

A $10,000 grant towards operational costs also went to the Bay of Plenty Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group.

ME/CFS is a condition with no known cure which has a debilitating effect on sufferers, affecting short- term memory, the ability to communicate effectively and causing headaches, body pain and sleep difficulties.

ME/CFS secretary and manager John Kelliher said the BayTrust grant was "hugely important'' and the group would not be able to provide the service to their 300 Western and Eastern Bay members without their support.

The biggest grant has gone to the Western Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust. The $15,000 grant will go towards towards Kiwican and Project K costs.